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Seven years ago I set out simply wanting a protection canine for the home. After
researching several breeds, I landed on a Dogo Argentino. What started off as a
single guardian for the home turned into several years and a multiple dog effort
to trial and title Dogo Argentinos in sport.
Schutzhund is a German word meaning “protection dog.” It refers to a sport that
focuses on developing and evaluating dogs based on their ability to work. The
sport consists of three different phases. Those are tracking, obedience, and
protection. With dedicated handling in the proper program the Dogo Argentino
can succeed in protection, Schutzhund and similar dog sports.
The Dogo Argentino is a strong, athletic, and loyal breed. Originally bred as a big game
catch dog, it is well documented they were also bred to be the ultimate guardians.
These temperament characteristics are often overlooked and even avoided by many
who breed them now. Gentle protectors of their humans, they have a strong will, and a
reasonable suspicion of strangers and other dogs. All of which require an experienced
dog owner to handle the breed, particularly for sport work.